Occupational interview data

Nelson (USA) 1995 Assessment of historical exposure for a study of renal cell disease and total hydrocarbon exposure Hydrocarbons Interview data used to create standard industrial classification (SIC) and standard occupational classification (SOC) codes ppm... 

The AHS, a collaborative research effort between the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health and EPA, is a prospective occupational study of 89,658 pesticide appliers and their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina assembled between 1993 and 1997 to evaluate risk factors for disease in rural farm populations (Blair et al. 2005). It is being conducted in three phases—phase I (1993-1997), phase II (1999-2003), and phase III (2005)—and includes only limited biomonitoring. Data are gathered with questionnaires to determine pesticide use and exposures, work practices, and other relevant exposures from buccal cell collection with dietary surveys and with interviews to determine updated pesticide exposures (Agricultural Health Study 2005). 

Most of the studies cited above have included a case control design with parental occupational data extracted from birth or death certificates, or obtained during an interview with the parents. In view of the poor approximation of the exposure status provided by an occupational title and/or the employment industry, and as specific exposures have been identified by questioning the parents, but neither validated regarding quantity nor quality, the findings must be interpreted as an epidemiological association rather than be... 

Thanks must go to the numerous individuals within British Railways and also the Railway Inspectorate, who supported the research and gave up their time to be interviewed. Obviously this study could not have been undertaken without the co-operation of staff across British Railways, and it could not have proved such a rich source of data without the frankness and honesty with which they approached the interviews. The Directors of British Railways and the unions should also be thanked for exposing themselves to such scrutiny. I am very grateful to them and sincerely hope that this work has already helped to improve occupational health and safety on the railways and that it will contribute to future improvements in this and other industries. 

The National Health Survey conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service is a continuous sample of households to record health data including those injuries experienced by members of the households within two weeks prior to the interview. Accident figures reported by the National Safety Council are based on this sample. In 1984, 39,000 out of the nation s 85 million households were interviewed. The survey of occupational injuries and diseases conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics involves a nationwide sample of approximately 280,000 companies. The figures are not comparable to the National Survey data due to differences in accident definitions and employment coverage. 

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